1 Corinthians 7:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A believer who came to faith in bondage need not be distressed by it, yet should gladly take freedom if it can be had.
What Does 1 Corinthians 7:21 Mean?
Paul applies his principle to the lowest social rung: the bondservant. One who was a servant when called to Christ need not be consumed with anxiety over it. Yet if freedom becomes possible, by all means embrace it.
Paul holds two truths together. A person's worth before God does not hinge on social status, so the servant can serve Christ with full dignity. At the same time, freedom is a genuine good worth taking. Faith neither despises one's lot nor forbids bettering it; it teaches contentment now and welcomes liberty when God grants it.
1 Corinthians 7:21 in the Original Language
doulos (δοῦλος), 'servant' -- a bondservant or slave, one wholly in another's service.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 7:21
What does 1 Corinthians 7:21 mean?
A believer who came to faith in bondage need not be distressed by it, yet should gladly take freedom if it can be had.